Welcome summer. Garage sale season has officially started, and we are in love. Yes, let's look through other people's cast-offs and pay for things they no longer want! It's like a glorified form of dumpster diving.
Okay, okay. I'm exaggerating. Well, actually, I'm not. This is one way people view garage sales, and, sadly, I will include myself in that because for a while I thought I was 'above' garage sales. If I wanted something I thought it had to come from a store. However, I have learned that there is a magical love associated with garage sale deals. So many people nowadays are downsizing and moving in with family and lightening their loads, if you will, and are getting rid of more and more really good pieces. In fact, my cousin and I went garage sale-ing and left with christmas gifts for bosses and friends for all around $20! Candles, brand new bottles of lotion, brand new or barely used baking goods, mugs, blankets, and even a humidor! Yes, people are really sharing good pieces with those willing to enjoy the sun and sift through garage sales. I've even seen people furnish full spaces in their houses with garage sale furniture. And nice furniture at that!
In fact, my family and I had a garage sale the other day and, even though it rained for about half of it (Dear Mother Nature, I accept reimbursements in the forms of cash and gift cards) we still had a good time. We also met some really great people whose faces lit up when they found that something they really wanted or needed.
Note to garage salers: You are having a GARAGE SALE. If you want $50 or even $100 for something, put it on eBay. Garage sales should be of the "please take it out of my house now" mentality. $1, $2, $5 and MAYBE $10 items. Garage sale etiquette requires bargains. If you're trying to turn a huge profit, there are other means. Otherwise, best of luck! They do require a decent amount of set-up time, so take caution. This is not something to be thrown together the morning of, but they can be a good way to rid yourself of things you no longer use, need, or can fit in your house.
Enjoy the summer, the weather, and the amazing sales you can find if you sift through enough garage sales. And remember....Bargain, barter, and brave the occasional rain storms! Happy hunting!
I know you get a lot of stuff that's cheap, but does someone really want to waste time looking at used stuff?
ReplyDeletehaha, you know, I used to think exactly the same thing. For the most part, it's not my forte, but sometimes, when you really need something and know exactly what you're looking for, it can come in handy. One year my friend was able to buy all of her co-workers Christmas gifts off brand new stuff at garage sales that people just didn't use or want or like. It takes time, and loads of patience, but every now and again you can actually stumble onto some fairly nice things.
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